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WHAT: Hearing to Examine the VA's Role in Responding to
National Disasters, Terrorist Threats and Wars
WHEN: Monday, October 15, 2001
2:00 PM
WHERE: 334 Cannon House Office Building
Veterans Committee Hearing Room
(Washington, DC) - The Committee on Veterans' Affairs will conduct a public
hearing on Monday, October 15, 2001 at 2:00 PM in 334 CHOB to examine the Department of Veterans Affairs preparedness to discharge its
responsibilities in responding to national disasters, terrorist attacks, and
wars. Among those testifying at Monday's hearing will be VA Secretary Anthony Principi, as well as officials from the Department of Defense,
Department of Health and Human Services, FEMA, GAO, and the Red Cross.
With an annual budget around $50 billion dollars and more than 220,000 federal employees, the Department of Veterans Affairs operates the largest
integrated healthcare system in the United States, making it an essential asset in responding to potential biological, chemical or radiological
attacks. The VA also has defined roles in both the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) and the Federal Response Plan (FRP) in the event of
national emergencies. Among the specialized duties of the VA are: conducting and evaluating disaster and terrorist attack simulation
exercises; managing the nation's stockpile of pharmaceuticals for biological
and chemical toxins; maintaining a rapid response team for radiological events; and training public and private NDMS medical center personnel in
responding to biological, chemical, or radiological events.
Through the VA's clinical and medical research activities, they possess unique expertise in diagnosing and treating specific physical and mental
conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. The VA is already offering PTSD counseling at the sites of the terrorist attacks and
the Committee will also be examining whether the VA could, or should, extend
the scope of such activities in the months ahead.
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Please visit http://veterans.house.gov, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs web site, named 'One of the Best Web Sites in Congress' by the Congressional Management Foundation, May 3, 1999.
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